04-05-23-PC Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 8, 2023 10 Community Development Director Jagoe commented the discussion before the Planning Commission was not specific to the primer tracer property. Rather, the Commission should consider the Conservation District overall. Commissioner Mitchell recalled that the conservation land (AHATS and primer tracer property) would be difficult to clean to residential standards. For this reason, she was not concerned that an apartment building would be placed directly next to a solar array. Community Development Director Jagoe discussed the listing for the 62 acres (primer tracer property) being sold by the federal government and noted the site had been cleaned to an industrial standard. She understood the sale document for this property would state this property could not be developed for residential. Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 8:43 p.m. Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court, reported he sent comments to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. He reviewed his comments noting he served as the Chair of the Restoration Advisory Board that was set up by the Army to clean up TCAAP. He noted he was also elected to Chair the Energy Resiliency Board in 2014 and 2015. He commented on the Energy Integration Resiliency Framework (ERIF) that was completed for TCAAP. He explained he understood Councilmember Tena Monson and County Commissioner Nicole Frethem met with the president of NSP, along with Bob Lux of Alatus. He recommended the primer tracer property be zoned for a solar farm and not for any other use. He discussed his visions for TCAAP noting this project could be a potential model for microgrid and grid energy design. He commented further on how the solar array would benefit the entire TCAAP development. He reported the State of Minnesota passed zero net energy requirements, noting no natural gas can be used by 2030. Chair Vijums asked how much of the City could be powered from a 60 acre solar array. Mr. Salmela reported this would power everything to the substations in the area. He anticipated substations near Lino Lakes and below I-694 would be fed. He stated if the grid were to go down, a 60 acre solar array would provide enough energy for all of TCAAP. Commissioner Bjorklund questioned if the lines for the solar array would be above ground or underground. Mr. Salmela indicated the lines could be either above or below ground. Rich Skoman, 4380 Arden View Court, reviewed a map of the TCAAP development that included the primer tracer property and discussed the location of the wildlife corridor. He stated it was his hope the AHATS property could be used for cross country skiing in the winter months. There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 8:58 p.m.